Convolute of bayonets from the area Chemin des Dames

[JHideas]

Hello. 
 

I was able to get a convolute of bayonets from the area Chemin des Dames. 

They are not good quality but they are still part of history and will be enough for my future project.

What would you do with these bayonets?

 

The Chemin des Dames, a ridge in northern France, holds a significant and tragic place in World War I history due to the heavy and prolonged battles fought there, particularly by French forces.

Strategic Importance

The Chemin des Dames, meaning "Ladies' Path," refers to a road that runs along a ridge between the Aisne and Ailette rivers. It was named after the daughters of Louis XV, who used the road in the 18th century. During World War I, this ridge became strategically important because it provided a commanding view over the surrounding plains and was a natural defensive position.

The Nivelle Offensive (April 1917)

The most infamous battle associated with the Chemin des Dames is the Nivelle Offensive, launched in April 1917 by French General Robert Nivelle. Nivelle promised a decisive breakthrough that would end the war within 48 hours, but the offensive turned into a disaster. The Germans were well-entrenched, and the French assault met with stiff resistance.

Despite intense artillery bombardments, the French troops faced well-prepared German defenses, including concrete bunkers and barbed wire. The attack quickly bogged down, leading to enormous casualties, with estimates of over 100,000 French soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The offensive's failure caused a severe decline in morale among French troops, leading to widespread mutinies in the French army.

 

The Second Battle of the Aisne (May 1918)

The Chemin des Dames saw further fighting in May 1918 during the Second Battle of the Aisne, part of the German Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht). This time, the Germans launched a surprise attack, quickly overwhelming the French defenses and advancing rapidly. They were able to penetrate deep into Allied territory, temporarily capturing strategic points, but ultimately, they were stopped by a counteroffensive.

 

Legacy and Memorials

The battles fought along the Chemin des Dames left deep scars on the landscape and in French memory. The region is dotted with war cemeteries, memorials, and museums that commemorate the soldiers who fought and died there. The Caverne du Dragon, a vast underground quarry used by both French and German troops as a shelter and command post, has been turned into a museum that tells the story of the fighting on the Chemin des Dames.

 

The Chemin des Dames remains a symbol of the brutal and often futile nature of World War I trench warfare, where high hopes were frequently dashed by the harsh realities of modern combat.

[JMB1943]

@JHideas,

Wonderful opportunity here to compare the several methods for removal of rust,

1) electrolysis,

2) sodium citrate,

3) molasses,

4) light oil and very fine bronze/ brass wool,

5) boiling water to convert red to black rust.

Regards,

JMB

[JHideas]

Yes. That was my first Idea. 😀